Here's a Binance Square-style article based on the incident:
Title: US Tourist Drugged by Fake Uber Driver, Robbed of $123K in Bitcoin
Date: May 23, 2025
Author: Binance News
Summary:
A shocking incident in London highlights the increasing risks facing crypto holders, as an American tourist was drugged and robbed of $123,000 in Bitcoin by a man impersonating an Uber driver.
In a disturbing example of growing criminal targeting of crypto holders, American tourist Jacob Irwin-Cline was reportedly drugged and robbed of over $123,000 in Bitcoin while visiting London.
According to a report by My London, Cline had been out drinking at a local bar and called an Uber to return home. However, he mistakenly entered a lookalike private vehicle driven by a man posing as his Uber driver.
Inside the vehicle, the fake driver allegedly offered Cline a cigarette laced with scopolamine, a potent sedative known for its disorienting and memory-erasing effects. Within minutes, Cline passed out and remained unconscious for about 30 minutes.
Upon regaining consciousness, the driver abruptly ordered him out of the car before striking him with the vehicle and fleeing the scene with Cline's cellphone. The device contained private keys and access to his crypto wallets, allowing the thief to siphon off the Bitcoin without resistance.
Crypto Crime on the Rise
This incident is part of a disturbing global trend of criminal activities targeting individuals involved in the cryptocurrency space.
Earlier in May, French police rescued the father of a crypto exchange owner, who had been kidnapped and held for ransom.
Days later, Pierre Noizat, CEO of the crypto platform Paymium, revealed his daughter and grandson were nearly kidnapped in a broad daylight assault in Paris.
As crypto adoption expands, so do the threats. Industry professionals and high-net-worth investors are increasingly turning to personal security, including bodyguards and digital safety consultants, to protect against both physical and cyber threats.
